Linda_Stuiv wrote:No I'm not a muslim. I have my concerns with Islam, which are -I admit, after reading up and hearing about it from educated muslims- much less than the concerns I have concerning Christianity, Judaism...etc. But thus far .... I'm an Agnostic (Believe in a greater Entity (God) but don't know where to go from there).
The reason I'm learning and reading/talking about Islam is because I might spend the rest of my life with a muslim man, so I might as well learn everything I can about it.
And no, I don't live with my fiance, I live in a villa given by the institute I work in, and he has 3 flats he lives in, Ajman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, depending on his work schedule.
Now, I don't mind answering these kind of questions, but: Choc, whatever happens between me and fiance is my business, and not yours to bring up, that was a very intrusive thing to say.
Shaakira: I understand that you're enthusiastic about your religion, which is admirable, but try to accept (Islam also accepts) that non-muslims shouldn't necessarily lead their lives according to Islam (or else they'd be muslims). And when you're arguing with a non-muslim, don't bring up verses of Quran, or Hadiths, because a non-muslim doesn't believe in them, so you'll just pass on as cocooned and introverted around your beliefs, which will not appeal to people if you want to let them know about Islam. Argue with logic. If the Prophet Mohamad (PBUH) was your model, then you must know that with the "Mushrekeen" , he argued with logic.
Example: When they came to the prophet and said that the ANgels are the "daughters" of God. The prophet didn't answer by : "Well Quran says differently!!" HE said: "Then who's their mum?"
Logic, logic.
Similarly you could have answered the original postee: "Well you have the freedom to do what your conscience and principles allow you to do, but I'd like you to remember that Dubai is a muslim city, regardless of all you hear about it, and that there will be a good deal of people who will frown upon you....etc.
Instead of: "Oh !! Sister !! You are corrupt!!! ..etc"
Just my two cents.
Beautifully said. But I have to say that I weigh some opinions of Choco cos she has lived in this gulf region for many yrs and she knows what she is talking about (i confirm with my experiences) and accept most of her claims. She can therefore voice her opinion about the conditions a western girl would face in gulf region. Just my 2 fils...
